Accessible Resources
We offer a variety of service options in accessible formats to assist customers, including:
Audiobooks
Books on CD
- A list of titles is available in our online catalogue.
Books on MP3
- A list of titles is available in our online catalogue.
Downloadable Audiobooks
- More detailed information is available on our Audiobooks page
DAISY Readers
DAISY Readers allow you to read an audiobook like a print book. You can read a book from start to finish by pressing play, skip from section to section, use bookmarks, and look things up in the index.
- To place a request for a DAISY Reader, please contact your local branch or visit our catalogue.
- Here is a list of DAISY disc titles in our collection.
Home Delivery Services
This service is available for those with health or physical impairments that prevent them from visiting the library in person.
Friends of the customer, or a volunteer when available, will deliver the books.
There are extended loan periods and no late charges for home delivery customers. Ask staff about services in your area or about how you can volunteer.
Contact your local branch for further information.
Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA)
VIRL has partnered with the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA; formerly the CNIB library) to offer free accessible-format materials for those with print disabilities. Several formats are available:
- Printed braille
- Ebraille digital audio
- CDs
- DAISY discs
CELA defines a print disability as having a self-identified visual, physical or learning disability that inhibits reading conventional print.
To join CELA, please contact your local library branch.
To read more about CELA services, please their website celalibrary.ca.
National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS)
The National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) is a repository of content owned and sustained by Canadian public libraries, working with international partners, libraries, readers, and publishers (particularly Canadian ones) to make copies of books in accessible formats available to readers in Canada who have print disabilities. Several digital formats are available:
To join NNELS, please contact your local library branch.
To read more about NNELS services, please visit their website or call 1.888.848.9250, option #5.